Marshall is hoping to return to NRL this season © Getty Images

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Benji Marshall is eyeing up a return to rugby league after requesting a release from his contract with the Blues, the Super Rugby outfit have confirmed.

The Blues tweeted to confirm the news, which comes after Marshall and Blues coach Sir John Kirwan agreed his transition to rugby union had not been as successful as they had both hoped.

The Blues and NZ Rugby can confirm they have received a request from Benji Marshall to be released early from his contract.

— The Blues (@BluesRugbyTeam) April 21, 2014

#ttrtpt All parties are currently in discussions & need to work through a formal process before making any further comment

— The Blues (@BluesRugbyTeam) April 21, 2014

Former New Zealand rugby league captain Marshall has instructed his manager Martin Tauber to open talks with National Rugby League clubs with the hope of finding a club before the June 30 deadline for registering players.

Marshall has played just 212 minutes in eight Super Rugby matches this season and was prepared to play out his two-year contract, but negotiations are now underway to finalise his release from the club.

Marshall's manager Martin Tauber confirmed his client had requested a release. "It just hasn't worked out, it is disappointing," Tauber told Australia's Daily Telegraph. "He's not had the game-time he'd like. This has all happened over the last 36 hours."

It is understood Marshall came to his decision after a weekend meeting with Kirwan in which it was suggested he either play the rest of the season in the lower tiers to help prepare him for the 2015 Suer Rugby season or return to rugby league.

Several NRL clubs including Cronulla, St George, Parramatta, Melbourne and Brisbane would be interested in the star playmaker and although Marshall has received several lucrative offers from English Super League clubs, Tauber confirmed the star would not be heading to England.